London  - Several hundred thousand public service workers in Britain began a 48-hour strike Wednesday to push demands for higher wages and to protest a 2.45 per cent pay hike offered by employers.

Union officials said that as many as 600,000 council employees working for local governments were expected to support the strike, as meanwhile workers set up picket lines outside schools, libraries, museums, sports centres and refuse collection sites.

Dave Prentis of the Unison union said the industrial action taking place in England, Wales and Northern Ireland was seen to be one of the biggest since the General Strike of 1926.

The walkout also involves members of another union, Unite.

The labour action comes in the face of calls by the government of Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown for wage restraint as Britain enters uncertain economic times.

Unions were angered by the 2.45 per cent pay rise offer, far below Britain's current inflation rate of 3.8 per cent - a level nearly double the 2 per cent upper target limit advocated by the Bank of England. (dpa)